He then moved into the senior ranks with Alloa Athletic[4] after being turned down by Ayr United, despite scoring a hat-trick of goals in a trial match. Shankly then played for English non-league team Tunbridge.[4] He later played for Falkirk,[2] although he had signed for Falkirk whilst unaware that Preston North End (where his brother Bill was then playing) wanted to sign him. He represented the Scottish League XI in 1937.[5] Like many working class men from Ayrshire at the time, he began working life as a miner (as did all his brothers), combining this job with football on a part-time basis. He married in 1936 and had two children, John (who became a civil engineer, but was offered the chance to become a professional footballer himself) and Margaret.

Shankly resigned from Dundee in February 1965 to succeed Jock Stein as manager of Hibernian.[4] Hibs reached a League Cup Final in April 1969, but lost heavily to Stein's Celtic. He temporarily retired and left Hibs later in 1969.[4] He returned to football management with Stirling Albion, then became their general manager and a club director.[4]

He survived a major car accident in 1975, in which he, Jock Stein and another friend were seriously injured.[4] Bob died from a heart attack at an SFA meeting in 1982.[4] He was 72 years old, and his death came just one year after that of his younger brother Bill, who had also died from a heart attack.[4] A stand at Dens Park is named in Shankly's honour[8] and he is a member of the Dundee hall of fame.[4]